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Aug. 21,1928.

O. STERN ARRANGEMENT FOR LAYING FOUNDATIONS Filed Jan. 21. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet lare/v Tag Aug. 21', 192s.

o. STERN ARRANGEMENT Fon LAYING FouNnATxoNs Filed Jan. 2l. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fili.

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. )EYENTOF Aug. 21, 192s.

O. STERN ARRANGEMENT FOR LAYING FOUNDATIONS Filed Jan. 2l. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 21, 1928.

'Urrea stares insiste errar OTTOKAR STERN, OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA.

ARRANGEMENT FOR LAYING FOUNDATIONS.

- Application filed January 21, 1926, Serial No 82,792, and in Austria January 24, 1925.

This invention relates to an arrangement for laying foundations of structures, buildings and the like by means of concrete foundation members and is particularly adapted for producing` pits or shafts of any depth. In many grounds it is quite suiiicient to sink a driving cone or' conical pile, which is connected with a guide tube, mounted in a carriage. However in case'the necessary penetration resistance is not obtained when sinking the driving cone alone or together with its guide tube, the latter can be lengthened by additional guide tubes and the driving cone is further sunk without the necessity of interrupting the operation. In case the ground or earth surrounding the pit or shaft is of such a bad state, that the walls'of the shaft or pit fall in when pulling up the tubes, itis of advantage to carry out simultaneously the removal of the tubes and the introduction of the concrete.

The essential feature of the arrangements constructed according to the present inventionr consists in that the guide tube or the foundation tube of a tubing, which is longitudinally and slidably connected with the driving cone, is mounted on a. carriage in such a manner, thatit renders possible the vertical guiding of the driving cone and of 30 its rods, as well as also the positive guide of an automatically operated ram and, after the ramming operation has been carried out, the withdrawal of the driving cone and the tubing, whereby the guideor foundation tube together with the cone can be readily transferred from one working place to another working place by means of the carriage.

One mode of carrying out the present invention is illustrated by way of example on the accompanying sheets of drawings in which Fig. 1 shows in sectional elevation a foundation machine, the section being taken through the carriage, the guide tube and a pulling device.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the carriage in plan view and side view respectively.

Fig. 4 shows the yoke-support in plan view, and y Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the clampingand supporting ring of the pullingl device.

Figs. 7 and 7 show in sectional elevation.

the ram operated by means of compressed gas or any other convenient medium in twol different positions.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are sectional plan views of the ram shown in Fig. 7, the sections being taken on lines M-N, G-H and K-L respectively of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 illustrates in sectional elevation the driving cone and a foundation tube for carrying out the consolidation of the ground and producing concrete columns.

4 are rigidly secured to each inner transverse bars and are braced up with respectto the latter, as well as with respect to the outer Y transverse bars by means of supports 6 and 7.

Lifting devices 12 and 13 are arranged on the platform outside the upright posts 4 and both lifting devices together'with the yoke 14, to be placed thereon, form the pulling device for the stepwise lifting of a tube (guide tube) or number of tubes, guided between the upright posts 4.

Lifting devices 12 and 13, operated by compressed air, are illustrated in the accoinrif panying drawings. Each lifting device consists of a lifting cylinder 16, a pressure piston 17 and a piston-rod 18, which passes through a hole in the lid 19 of the cylinder. A non-return valve 20, arranged in the sidewall of the cylinder, permits the admission of compressed air into the` space of the cylinder underneath the pressure piston 17, whereby the latter is raised. The rcompressed air can be allowed to escape slowly through a three-way 'cock 21, arranged in the air supply pipe in front of the nonreturn valve 20. By meansy of a suitably shaped member 22, each yoke 14 is attached to its corresponding piston-rod 18. and both yokes are connected with each other at the desiredheight by a bracket 15. For this object the yokes 14 are furnished with holes a'long their entire length for the reception of two string pins 23.

After the yoke-bracket 15 has grasped the guide-tube 33 underneath its ring 36 and has been locked by a bolt 24 (Fig. 4) or simple construction, the yoke-bracket 15 is freely disposed on the pins 23. 25 designates a link joining the two parts of the yokebracket 15 for clamping the guide-tube 33.

lil() ferent positions.

The combined ring 26, 27 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6) consists of two superposed parts, which are connected by means of a vertically disposed pivot 28 only. The top member is formed by a clamping ring 27 composed of two parts and lined with wood jaws 30, and

the pivot 28 passes through the hinge of the two parts of the clamping ring (Figs. 5 and 6). The two clamping jaws may be adjusted to a smallerl or larger diameter of the tube by means of a clamping screw 31, which.

is operated by a hand-wheel 32.

, The two bearing-pins 29 of the combined supporting and clamping ring can be placedinto the middle as well as also on outer bearing recesses of the connecting members 8 and 11 of the carriage, whereby vertical adjustments of the horizontal tube-axis can be carried out with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carriage. The pressure-cylinders 12 and 13 of the pulling device are' adjustable on the platform of the carriage according to requirement.

The guide-tube 33 (Fig. 1) has a thin wall and is of a diameter of about 5() centimetres, and is provided at the top with an outer strengthening ring 36 and at the bottom with an inner strengthening` ring 38. The latter rests on the conically shaped part of the guide tube and forms a strong collar, against which knocks the projecting topplate 39 of the ram 37 of the conical pile 34 as often as the guide-tube 33 does not freely follow the driven-in pile 34. If the pulling device lifts the guide-tube correspondingly high, the strengthening ring 38 moves up the top-plate 39 together' with the conical pile 34.

The driving cone or conical pile 34 is uni-- formly tapered off towards the pointed end of the pile-shoe 40. which is longitudinally slidably connected with the former. A nonrotatable and only slightly longitudinally movable nut is mounted in the pin-like extension of the pile-shoe. A pile-shoe shaft 41, furnished with a screw-thread, passes through the nut above mentioned, and the enlarged bottom end of the said shaft cngages a recess provided in the shoe 40. When screwing out the sha-ft, the conical pile, as well as the tubes resting thereon are raised, so that the initial lift can be carried out by pressure applied from below.

The pile-shoe shaft 41 is of a suitable length and serves for guiding the automatic ram 35, and the top end of the former is centrally and rotatably mounted in a cover 42, placed onto the guide-tube 33. The cover 42 is furnished with openings for the insertion of the coi'npressed air supply tube 54 or the like. The total length of the guidetube 33 is such, that the automatic ram 35, working in the interior of the said guide tube, remains just underneath the tube-cover 42 when the end of the up-stroke is reached. y

lith particular reference to Figs. 11 to 13, it is to be noted that the guide 75 is of cylindrical shape and near its bottom end is furnished with an inwardly extending collar 76. The conical pile 77 is connected with the pileshoe 78 by a non-rotatable, slightly vertically movable repulsion-nut 79, which is engaged by the scrcw-thread 81- of the repulsion-spindie 80. The end of the latter is enlarged to a collar 84, which is vertically movable in a recess of the shoe 78 and takes along the latter on lifting out the conical pile. The repulsionway is `limited by a coupling-cone 82, if the latter engages .the conical recess 83 provided in the conical pile.

Recesses 9() are arranged in the cylindrical wall of the conical pile 77 below the top plate 88 of the latter and serve for the insertion of two strong plate-springs 89, which are secured to the top plate 88 and are of such measurements and shape, that the ends of thc bottom plate of the plate-springs extends beyond the inner diameter of the collar 76 and rests on the same, but during the lifting out of the conical pile do not hamper the passage through the connecting rings of the pit-tubes. The strength ofthe springs has to be suilicient for the frictional and acceleration resistance of the entire pit-tuliiing. The knock of the ram, which transmitted by the ram-cushion 99 to the conical pile 77 acts rcsilientlv on the collar 76 `owing to the provision of the platesprings 89. If desired the latter may be arranged also in the rain-cushion 9,9. i i

The cylindrical portion 89 of the conical pile 77 is furnished with an outer screwthread 85, which is engaged by the screwthreaded end 87 of the tube 86.. Therefore the latter has to carry out directly the movement of the conical pilcwhile the forward feed of the pit-tubes accomplishedgradually by spring-force or the same dropdown, if the weight of the tubing is greater than the force by which the tubes adhere to the ground. At the end of the drop the bottom edge of the guide-tube strikes against a stepped part 91 of, the enlarged end 87, after the clear Space between 75 and 91 has been passed through. An anti-rotation device, for instance several claws 92 provided on the tube 86 or the guide 75 and engaging elongated slots 93. is mounted between the said tube 86 and guide 75.

lll() Cil The water-tight closure between the conical pile 77 and the guide 75 is safeguarded by a leather-packing 94, which rests on the cylindrical part 98 of the conical pile below the collar 76. Therefore in each phase of sinking is safeguarded a tight connection between the guide and the conical pile. By this arrangement it is possible to employ the foundation-machine at any water-level, whereby water cannot enter the tube-lined pit and hamper the'effect of the inside ramming.

The conical pile 77 is taken out if the desired depth is reached. For this object the spindle 8O is rotated in such a direction, that the cylindrical part 98 of the conical pile is lifted away from the repulsion-shoe 78. The tubular sleeve 86, connected with the part 98 of the pile, is also moved upward and by means of its stepped part 91 also lifts the guide 75, so that the difficult initial lifting of the foundation-tube 75 can be carried out.

As soon as the conical seat 83 cooperates withl the spindle-cone 82, the conical pile is connected with the spindle 80 and thereby is screwed out of the tubular sleeve 86 if the said spindle is rotated, whereby also the pileshoe 78 is disengaged from the ground. Now if the spindle 80 is pulled up, also the conical pile together with the plate-springs 89 and the ram-cushion 99 are removed from the pit-hole.

In the case of ordinary depth-foundations the filling out of the pit-hole with rammed concrete can be started, whereby also the tubing is lifted step by step. Thereby the tubular sleeve 86 is taken along by the claws 92 engaging the longish slots 93.

The compressed gas ram consists of the ram-cylinder (Fig. 7) `which is furnished with a lid and moves up and down on the piston-rod., formed by two tubes 46 and 47. The piston 48 is secured to the latter. The hollow space 60, remaining between the two tubes, is closed up air-tight and in the same are disposed the control-slide 4.9 and a spring 507 arranged underneath the latter. A small valve 51 is located in the piston 48 and serves for the escape of gas from the spring-compartment 52. The control-head 53, provided with a curved pipe 54 for connection to the pressure pipe, closes up the space between the tubes at the top end. The control-head 53 is furnished with a control-valve 55, which is adapted to establish communication between the pressure pipe and the spring-compartment 52 underneath the control-slide 49 by means of a connecting pipe 56. Further the control-head' 53 is provided with a throttlescrew 57 (Fig. 8) and with a screw 58 for the supply of additional gas.

The compressed gas passes through the pressure-pipe and the curved admission pipe 54 (Fig. 7) into the ,control-head 53 and the space 6() between the two tubes 46 and 47. Thereby the control-slide 49 is forced down and the spring is compressed. The slide 49 is forced down to such an extent, till the compressed gas can pass into the upper part of the cylinder by way of holes 61, provided in the outer tube 46. Consequently the ram cylinder is lifted because the piston 48 rests on anvil 39 of the ram by reason of its rigid connection with the tube 47. Before the cylinder reaches the upper reversing point, the control-valve 55 is pushed open by contacting with the raising cylinder-cover 45, and compressed gas passes through the valve 55 (Fig. 7a), the connecting pipe 56 and the hole 62 into the spring compartment 52. Now a compensation of pressure takes place and the spring 50 lifts the control-slide 49. Thereby first the inletopenings 61 are closed and subsequently the exhaust for the escape of the pressure gas, present above the piston, is opened, in that the compressed gas passes through the openings 61, the annular channel 63 and the ports 64 (Figs. 7 and 9) into the space of the cylinder underneath the piston 48 and from there through the large openings 65 of the cylinder 35 into the atmosphere. The valve 55 is closed, but the cont-rol-slide- 49 remains in the raised postion, because compressed gas is still present underneath the same. In the event of untightness of the spring-compartment 52, compressed air can be supplied to the same by means of the screw 58 (Fig. 8) for the .supply of additional gas, in order to prevent a drop of the pressure and thus a lowering of the control-slide 49, e. g. an advanced reversal of the control. At the end of the free drop, the valve 51 is opened by the cylindercover 45 striking against it, and communication is established between the spring-compartment 52 and the outside air by wayof the channel 66 (Figs. 7 and 10), so that the said compartment is not subjected any more to pressure. The control-slide 49 is forced down by the compressed gas disposed above it and the operation can be started again.

The adjustable throttle-screw 57 (F ig. 8) permits a filling of the spring-compartment 52 with compressed gas at any desired speed and thus alsoa regulation of the lifting speed of the control-slide 49, in that the same can be forced up by the spring 50 at such a speed only as corresponds to the speed of filling the spring-compartment 52 with compressed air.

After placing the carriage on the railor plank-track and securing the same above the beginning of the first row of foundation members, the compressed gas tubes 'are connected to the air-pipe 54 of the ram and to both lifting cylinders 12, 13 of the pulling device.

Now the driving-in of the conical pile 34 can be started, whereby the drop of the ram is gradually increased. This operation can be continued untilthe penetration resistance of the conical pile is greater than the building load at the working place. In most cases it is sufficient to sink the conical pile. However if the bearing power of the building ground is disposed deeper in the ground, one or more tubes are placed onto the guide tube 33 and suitable extension members are arranged on the rod 41 and the ramming operation is continued until the necessary penetration resistance is reached.

In the open condition the yoke-bracket 15 is placed onto the guide-tube 33 below the top strengthening ring 36 or below the connecting sleeve of the extension tube uppermost at the time and is slightly clamped by engaging its bolt 24 and the correspondingwedge. Now the supporting pins 23 are in'- serted into the holes of the yoke-standards 14 just underneath the yoke-bracket 15, and compressed gas is supplied'to the lifting cylinders 12 and 13.

The lift effected thereby amounts, for instance, to about 30 centimetres. Now the clamping screw 31 of the combined supporting and clamping ring 26, 27 is tightened. whereby the guide-tube 33 or the tubing is secured at the reached height. Then the pins Q3 whose position has been lowered'by the downward stroke of the air pistons 17 connected with the yoke supports 14 must be raised to the next holes beneath the yokebracket 15. Now compressed gas is again supplied to the lifting cylinders and the same operation is repeated until the tubing is eX- tracted from the ground.

On tensioning the pulling device, the collar of the lowest strengthening ring 38 knocks against the collar of the striking plate 39, whereby also the conical pile together with its pile-shoe 40, and the automatic ram 35 are lifted. l

I claim 1. An arrangement for laying foundations of structures, buildings and the like, comprising in combination a carriage provided with upright supporting members, a guide-tube carried by the said supporting members and longitudinally movable, a shaft centrally and rotatablyarranged in the said guide-tube, a conical pile arranged round the said shaft and guided by the guide-tube, and a ram disposed within the guide-tube and longitudinally movable outside the said shaft and acting directly on the conical pile, for the purpose specified.

2. An arrangement as claimed. in claim 1, in which the conical pile is provided with a tubular sleeve, a collar secured to the bottom end of the guide-tube, the latter being arranged longitudinally movable within the said sleeve, an upper stop and a bottom stop provided in the conical pile, the said collar being disposed between the said two stops and the free movement between the guide-tube and the conical pile being limited by the said two stops, for the purpose specified.

An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further provided with a clamping and supporting ring for the guide-tube, pins provided on the said ring, and carrying members arranged on the carriage frame in different heights, for the purpose specified.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim `l, further provided with lifting devices disposed on the carriage each device consisting of a cylinder, a piston in the latter, a pistonrod secured to the said piston, a supporting bar provided with holes forming the extension of the piston rod, pegs adapted to be inserted in the said holes and a yoke-bracket adapted to engage the top end of the guidetube and to be placed on the pegs, for the purpose specified.

5. An arrangement for laying foundations of structures, buildings and the like, comprising` in combination a carriage, a. guide-tube adapted to be disposed vertically adjustable within the carriage, a shaft centrally and rotatably arranged in the said guide-tube, a conical pile arranged round the said shaft and guided by the guide-tube, and a ram dis osed within the guide-tube and longitudinally nievable or -zide the said shaft, the said ram consii pipe slidably mounted on the centra ,f l ed shaft, a larger outer pipe arra ed :around the pipe first mentioned to form a compartmentbetween both pipes, and an automatically controlled slide operating in the said compartment, for the purpose specified.

6. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5,

further provided with a spring-compartment underneath the slide, a spring disposed in the spring-compartment, means in the ram for establishing communication between the said spring-compartment and the atmosphere and alternately with a pressure medium, for they purpose specified.

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5,

further comprising` a control-head at the top end of the pipes, a valve mounted inthe control head 'and extending out of and down the latter, and a small tube establishing communication between the said valve and a coinpartment provided underneath the slide, for the purpose specified.

8. fin arrangen'ient claimed in claim 5, frufther consisting of a piston mounted on the bottom ond of the outer pipe, a valve arranged in the piston and extending upward out of the top face of the latter, a port in the piston, a. chamber in which the piston operates, and a port in the wall of the said chamber, for the purpose specified.

9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a control-head at the top end of the pipes, a valve mounted in the control head and extending out of and Adown the latter, a throttle-member arranged in the control-head, and a small tube establishing con'nnunication between the said valve ,and

testfase a compartment provided underneath the slide, for the purpose specitied.

10. An arrangementas claimed in claim 5, further comprising a control-head at the top end of the pipes, a. valve mounted in the control head and extending out of and down the latter, an annular pressure space in the control-head, a passage establishing communication between the said pressure space and the Valve compartment, means i'or closing the said passage, and a small tube establishing communication between the said Valve and a compartment provided underneath the slide, it'or the purpose specified.

11. An arrangement as claimed in claim 5, further consisting of a' piston Ymounted on the bottom end of the outer pipe, a valve arranged in the piston and extending upward out of the top 'ace of the latter', a port in the piston, an auxiliary exit in the said piston, means in the exit for adjusting the crosssectional area of the said exit.

12. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the conical pile is provided with a tubular sleeve, a collar secured to the bottom end of the guide-tube, the latter being arranged longitudinally movable Within the said sleeve, a plate-spring mounted in the conical pile, the ends of the said spring eX- tending out of the pile into the path or' the said collar, a bottom stop provided in the conical pile,the said collar being disposed between the said ends of the spring and the bottom stop, for the purpose specified.

13. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in Which the conical pile is provided with a tubular sleeve, a collar secured to the bottom end of the guide-tube, the latter being arranged longitudinally movable Within the said sleeve, a packing secured to the said collar, a plate-spring mounted in the conical pile, the ends of t-he said spring extending out of the pile into the path of the said collar, a bottom stop provided in the conical pile, the said collar being disposed bet-Ween the said ends of the spring and the bottom stop, Jfor the purpose specitied.

141. An arrangement for laying foundations o structures, buildings and the like, comprising in combination, a support, a guide tube mounted for movement in the support, a shaft centrally and rotatably arranged in the said guide tube, a conical pile arranged around the lower end of the guide tube and connected with the shaft and including shock absorbing means, and a ram disposed Within the guide tube and concentrically arranged exteriorly of the shaft and coacting with the shockabsorbing means on the conical pile, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

ln testimony whereof I aiiX my signature.

OTTOKAR STERN. 

